Manchester City were forced to cross the ball so often against Southampton because of how their Premier League opponents defended against them, according to Pep Guardiola.
The Blues battered the Southampton box with a whopping 36 crosses - only against Wolves (39) have they attempted more this season and they average 23 - and were finally rewarded as Kyle Walker squared for Sergio Aguero to equalise before Alex McCarthy could only tip Angelino's centre into the path of the onrushing Walker.
City's attacking approach led to a frustrating afternoon in the stands, with more groans than usual as supporters urged the team to try something else to get back into the game.
Guardiola, though, said afterwards that he was left with little option because of the way Southampton set up.
Asked why they attempted so many crosses, the manager replied: "Because they defended with 11 players on the penalty spot. In the 18-yard box they defended like a tree. They allowed you to go outside but not inside.
"This set up the 5-3-2 they allowed you to go outside so it was the only chance. There were no spaces. [Danny] Ings and [Nathan] Redmond defended on the 18-yard box. There were no spaces so be patient, crosses, second balls, crosses. David [Silva] or Raheem [Sterling] should be more close to Sergio and they were both outside of their position and we need players.
"Gabriel [Jesus] went there and we had more options because we needed more people in the box. It is almost impossible, you say where are the spaces to attack but the cross from Kyle and these kind of balls we tried to score a goal.
"They are so close so the distance between the back five and then the three and the two [in front] is 10-12m. There are two legs, one position , one body. There is no space. We made the space big because we have the wingers wide and full-backs wide. It's difficult. That's why we were patient but at the same time we were constant and that's why we could make a good comeback."
